BOXING SET FOR BAKU OPENER

 Boxing will take centre stage as the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games officially open on Friday.

Olympian Obadah Al Kasbeh will launch his 64kg campaign against Pakistan’s Suleiman Baloch, while Mohammad Abu Jajeh will face Turkmenistan’s Hursand Imankuleve in the 60kg category.

On Saturday, Abdullah Daraghmeh will fight against Iraq’s Hassan Nasser in the -49kg opening round while the following day Ihab Matbouli will face Syria’s Alaa Ghasson in the quarter-final of the 91kg.

Ziad Ishaish will face Turkey’s Onder Sipal in the 69kg category on the same day. Hussein Ishaish was awarded a bye and will fight in the +91kg quarter-final against either Reza Moradikhan, of Iran, or Arsene Fosso, of Cameroon.

Mohammad Al Wadi has also been given a pass to the quarter-final and will fight the winner of Mirabek Sherov, of Kazakhstan, and Khalil Litim, of Algeria.

HANDBALL LOSE TO TURKEY

They may have lost all three group matches but the Jordan handball team can be pleased with their return to international competition after a long absence.

The team was asked at the last minute to fill in for Afghanistan who withdrew, and today’s 26-21 defeat to Group B champions Turkey showed a marked improvement on the previous two defeats.

They will now play against Pakistan in a play-off for seventh or eighth place.

JORDAN FLAG RAISED IN ATHLETES VILLAGE

Team Jordan has been officially welcomed to the Athletes Village during the flag raising ceremony this morning.

The ceremony showcased Azerbaijan culture with performances by local youth.

The official opening ceremony will be held tomorrow at 8pm in the Baku Olympic Stadium that was built in 2015.

Meanwhile, the Azerbaijan Islamic Solidarity Games Organising Committee (AISGOC) and the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) confirmed that Libya, Sudan and Kuwait will not be taking part after officially notifying the organisers.

The Games will attract over 3,500 athletes representing 54 countries.

SWIMMERS TEST COMPETITION POOL

Jordan’s swimmers, including Olympian Khader Baqlah, have started their preparations.

“We are ready to compete,” said Dr. Ali Al Nawaiseh, coach.

“We will be up against some of the best swimmers from three continents so we expect some tough competition.”